Who has both AANP and ANCC certifications? Should I?

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Hello there!

I just graduated from a FNP program last week and started studying for the AANP certification exam basically because thats what all of my peers had signed up for. I know there are slight differences between obtaining recertification i.e;...I would be credited CMEs for precepting a student with ANCC but not with AANP.

Do you think it is attractive to employers to have BOTH certifications? I'm already studying for both anyways and its just an extra $240. Plus, I wanted my title to say...FNP-BC not just NP-C, which is definately more vague for my chosen path.

Lastly, if you have taken both what was the span of time that you took them in? I was thinking of spacing them one week apart.

Thanks for your feedback,

Lauren

Lauren, did you decide to take both exams? I hear they differ greatly from each other. I also heard that AANC is drastically changing in August.

No, now thats i've passed the AANP and I hear they are very different in terms of content, I have no desire to begin or continue studying. I want to enjoy whats left of the Summer!!

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Specializes in FNP, ONP.

I have both, will not be renewing ANCC.

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Specializes in Anesthesia, Pain, Emergency Medicine.

There is absolutely no difference as it relates to states or hospitals. I would bet the hospitals do not even know or care.

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Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.

I dual boarded as well. The exams are very different but I honestly enjoyed taking the second exam after I had already passed the first; no better time to do it then right away after grad!

It adds some security and perhaps a tiny bit of flexibility.

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Specializes in Anesthesia, Pain, Emergency Medicine.

What security and flexibility?

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Specializes in FNP, ONP.

The hospital here was advertising ANCC, but when asked about AANP, they said "Oh sure, that's fine too. You have a license? You are certified by someone, right? Great. Whatever. When can you start?" I honestly don't think anyone really understands or cares. If they state one, they probably don't even know there is another. Offer a bit of education and they are likely to say "yeah, sure whatever."

Having both is a waste of money and renewing ANCC is a pain in the butt. I don't precept, so I'm dropping it. I could give a rat's ear about whether it says -C or -BC behind my "FNP." DNP trumps them both. :cheeky:

I also prefer the political advocacy agenda of AANP, fwiw, so that is where I'd prefer to direct my dues. IMO they do more to advance the profession than ANCC.

I'd tell a new FNP grad to take whichever exam they feel more comfortable with, but I wouldn't invest in both.

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Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.
What security and flexibility?

In maintenance/renewal in the event that the AANP or ANCC retires your certification exam.

We also have one fairly large employer here that requires ANCC certification for new grads (will pay for it for experienced NPs) because the NPs function largely in a case management role.

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Specializes in Anesthesia, Pain, Emergency Medicine.

Which employer? I've never heard of anyone requiring one certification over the other. I'd be interested in "calling about a job". :)

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